Good morning, Pastor John.
I am confused. I know that when Jesus was on the cross, he asked God to “forgive them for they know not what they do.” But in Psalm 69:28, concerning those in Israel who would reject and abuse him when he came, the Son of God prayed, “Let them be blotted out of the Book of Life and not be written among the righteous!” (Ps. 69:28). How is he asking to forgive and not to forgive? Is there a group to forgive and a different group to not? None of them asked to be forgiven. How does this apply to us? Do we need to differentiate who to forgive even when they don’t ask forgiveness?
Thanks
Mark W
========
Hi Mark.
When I was starting out in the Lord, I decided that as I read through the Bible, I would keep a list of any contradictions I found along the way. In a short time, however, the list grew so long that I had to quit.
The Son of God said both those things, one through David in Psalms and one from the cross. There are those whom the Son has asked God to curse and others whom he has asked God to bless, and I am sure that God answered both those prayers.
That is why Jesus told his disciples to rejoice that their names were written in heaven. It didn’t have to be that way.
Also, nobody knows whose name is in God’s Book. Therefore, be kind to everyone; you may be talking to a lost sheep of God.
Pastor John